Communication in the days of technology has special meaning for Patti Judd, who travels throughout the world collecting rare, exotic papers for her store, The Paperie, in the Gaslamp Quarter. Judd’s passion for paper and creative design have led her to the old gallery-lined streets of France, the teahouses of Japan and South Korea and throughout the United States selecting the highest quality handmade and block-printed papers. “I look for a tactile, refined quality in papers that commercial stationery doesn’t have,” says Judd. “There is such a diversity of papers, and each paper’s personality conveys a different message.”

Judd grew up in San Diego, attending SDSU and UCSD, where she studied art and graphic design. A few years after graduation, Judd started her own creative design agency in Banker’s Hill, Juddesign, a firm offering naming strategy, repositioning, collateral advertising and Internet design. High-profile clients have included the San Diego Convention Center, Century 21, SeaWorld and Standard Pacific Homes.

Her voyages throughout Europe and Asia researching design sparked her interest in refined papers. “There is a different sensibility to stationery in Europe,” says Judd. “I got a cultural boost while I was there.” In 1994, Judd opened a 700-square-foot boutique across from her design studio. Three years later, she opened her current store in the Gaslamp Quarter that houses more than 600 different papers, her “ultimate vision.” Her daughter, Traci Pham, is managing partner. “We are very select about the level and quality of papers, stationery and gifts that we offer here,” says Judd. No mass-produced cards here.

Judd and her daughter pay close attention to the brand and origin of papers, allowing shoppers to choose among papers made from chiffon, fur, banana leaf, mango leaf, hemp, papyrus and more.

The back of the 2,200-square-foot shop has space for day-long workshops. Workshops include lamp shade making, diary and journal making and book assembling among others. Fees run from $25 and $100 and include materials.

The Paperie is located at 534 Fifth Ave. and is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (619) 234-5457 or click on www.thepaperie.com for more.

— Katherine Lyon